Injured East Coast kiwi being treated at Massey University

Posted January 24, 2014

An injured kiwi, handed in to the Department of Conservation (DOC) in Gisborne by a member of the public, has been transferred to Wildbase at Massey University for treatment.

The juvenile female North Island brown kiwi was found at Opato in the Waioeka Gorge and received injuries to a leg from a possum trap. Vets are treating the kiwi with antibiotics and will undertake an x-ray and examination to determine the extent of the damage.

“With many kiwi disappearing because of predators, it is great that a member of the public handed in the kiwi and our priority is the welfare of the bird” says Conservation Partnership Manager, Awhina White.

We will continue to monitor its condition. Our main concerns are potential infection or damage to tendons in the leg.

The kiwi’s location confirms information DOC already has about the existence of wild populations in the Waioeka Gorge and Motu. Another wild juvenile kiwi named “Matawai/Motu” injured by a motor vehicle, that subsequently died, late last year was found in an area nearby.

The public are reminded if they find injured wildlife to contact the DOC 24 hour Hotline 0800 362 468.